Research

Some allegations around Crown Casino fall within ACLEI’s jurisdiction, but others do not – and, in any case, ACLEI’s powers are too limited. A National Integrity Commission is needed for the allegations to be fully aired and investigated.

The annual Climate of the Nation report has tracked Australian attitudes on climate change for over a decade.Climate of the Nation 2019 is the second report produced by The Australia Institute, continuing the work of The Climate Institute (2007-2017).Key findings include: 81% of Australians are concerned that climate change will result in more droughts and flooding (up from 78% in 2018). 78% of Australians are concerned climate change will lead...

New research shows seven in ten Australians (72%) think that, if Australia is at risk of a recession, the Government should prioritise economic stimulus over the budget surplus. The Australia Institute surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,464 Australians about their economic priorities. Key Findings: 72% of Australians say that, if Australia is at risk of a recession, the government should prioritise stimulating economic gr...

New research released today by The Australia Institute shows that the vast majority of Australians prioritise production of food for Australian consumption, and support for family farms in the Murray Darling Basin. When respondents were asked to rank agriculture and water policy goals: Top water policy priorities for the Murray-Darling Basin include:Three quarters of Australians (75%) ranked ‘producing food for consumption in Australi...

The proposed Mulga Rock uranium mine is unlikely to be in the WA community interest. Aside from the environmental risks inherent in uranium mining, the feasibility study for the proposal uses improbable market scenarios and does not illustrate a credible range of project outcomes.

Welcome to the August 2019 issue of the NEEA Electricity Update, with data updated to theend of July 2019. The Electricity Update presents data on electricity demand, electricitysupply, and electricity generation emissions in the National Electricity Market (NEM), pluselectricity demand in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS).Since the start of 2018 we have been charting the rapid growth in wind and solar generation. There can be no d...

Norwegian oil company Equinor is planning exploratory drilling for oil and gas in the Great Australian Bight beginning in late 2020. Modelling commissioned by the oil and gas lobby shows that South Australia is unlikely to receive any noticeable benefit from tax payments as a result of oil and gas production in the Great Australian Bight. The tourism, fishing and aquaculture industries on the SA coast already employ over 10,000 people and provide...

Australia is the world’s third biggest exporter and fifth biggest miner of fossil fuels by CO2 potential. Its exports are behind only Russia and Saudi Arabia, and far larger than Iraq, Venezuela and any country in the EU. Yet Australia’s economy is more diverse and less fossil fuel intensive than many other exporters. Australia has an opportunity and obligation to decarbonise its exports in line with the Pa...

Truth in political advertising laws are supported by 84% of Australians. Successful models include industry self-regulation in New Zealand and making misleading advertising an offence in South Australia. Decisions about what constitutes “the truth” may be fraught, but they are routinely made by companies and regulators under consumer law. Australia can choose from a variety of models, but some form of truth...

“More than any other state, Tasmanians live in and on the edges of the bush,” said Leanne Minshull, Director of the Australia Institute Tasmania.“As the severity of fires increase, so does the impact on our homes, our communities and our economy, we need to look at this problem holistically to have any chance of dealing with it.”"Our research shows us that there is a lack of understanding in the community when it comes to undisturbed forests and...

The Australia Institute is the country’s most influential progressive think tank. We conduct research on a broad range of economic, social and environmental issues in order to inform public debate and bring greater accountability to the democratic process.